Ola Hoftun Lillelien, who plays for the nation of Denmark, has recently come out as gay!
Handball is a widely popular sport in Europe where each team plays keep away while trying to score the other team’s goal.
Ola Hoftun Lillelien, a professional handball player, came out to his over eight-thousand followers in an Instagram post. “I have been thinking for a long time about whether I should publish this post, but I now understand that it is something I want. Not for my own part, but to be a role model. Not just for young people, but for everyone.”
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He shared that he told his family, friends, and teammates about six months ago that he “most likely [does] not end up with a sweet girl, but a handsome boy.” He said the “response was exclusively positive!”
Related | Olympic Swimmer Markus Thormeyer Has Come Out as Gay
Ola Hoftun Lillelien Reflect
Lillelien took a moment to reflect on the LBGTQ+ community and those who came before him. “April 21, 2022, it is 50 years since it was decriminalized to love whoever you want in Norway,” he shared. “This post is not posted for me to receive confirmation or recognition, but for me to proudly thank those who before me have fought for my right to love the one I want. I hope society today has come so far that boys and girls do not have to feel the fear of not being accepted for who they are. It is not a sensation to be in love and in love with someone, so I hope we have gotten there that it does not turn out to be a big deal.”
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He shared a quote from King Harald V’s 2016 speech: “Norway is boys who love boys, girls who love girls, and girls and boys who love each other.”
Lillelien concluded: As an athlete, I have only gotten to know warmth, joy, and unity, and that’s what sport is all about! Sport has room for everyone, including you and me. Because I’m still just me, Ola.”
Congrats on living your truth, Ola!
